The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque Read Online Free PDF Page A

according to what is prescribed. Ix Yohl Ik’nal is spiritually and physically clean, she is reborn into a new life. As an adult, Halach Uinik- real human, she is fully formed. She takes her place in Lakam Ha as a woman of the B’aakal dynasty, bearer of the sacred blood. She is now her own person.
    “Come forward, Ix Yohl Ik’nal.”
    Intense silence settled upon the plaza. The crowd’s anticipation was palpable. Softly in the distance birdcalls insinuated melodies into the silence. A shape began to coalesce, seen dimly through copal smoke. Each deliberate step gave the apparition more form, until the young woman was suddenly visible. The crowd drew a collective in-breath, exhaling with a sigh.
    Yohl Ik’nal stood on the top step of the platform. Her heart thundered in her ears and pounded against her chest. Blinking through the smoke, she looked around the plaza at an immense sea of faces, all eyes trained on her. Sweat formed tiny beads on her trembling upper lip. Nothing could have prepared her for this moment. Many times she had watched her uncle, the ruler, stand before the people. Sometimes she was also standing among the royal family on the platform. But never before had the people directed their full attention to her.
    The blast of energy from the crowd felt like a shock wave against her body. Every nerve vibrated, sending prickling sensations along her spine and electric tingles to fingers and toes. Waves of nausea threatened to make her retch, and only maximum determination kept her upright. Nostrils flaring, she inhaled deeply and willed her rebellious gut to stillness. Her eyes lost focus and the crowd became a blur, an odd comfort that allowed her to regain poise. She raised clammy palms toward the people in the blessing sign and hoped her hands were not shaking.
    To the crowd below, her appearance was regal. Almost as tall as her father, her stately form was adorned sumptuously in a towering headdress of quetzal feathers, beads and shells held by richly embroidered fabric and a huipil (shift dress) of yellow with red and green borders. The waistband held a medallion of K’in Ahau -Sun Lord’s face. Below the waist, a woven-mat skirt covered the huipil, connecting her with the Maize God and the generation of life. This mat also signified the Popol Nah (Council House) and her role as advisor and decision-maker. Maya leaders sat upon woven reed mats when they met in council. Brightly colored reed sandals covered her feet; wrist and ankle cuffs jangled metallic beads. A large jade pendant hung at mid-chest, carved in the face of K’uk Bahlam I, the first Halach Uinik-real human ancestor of her lineage.
    Now was her time to speak to the people, her first formal speech as an adult of the sacred blood. She must demonstrate her knowledge and her memory. The ruling lineage carried this responsibility; they were the ones who remembered. They knew the history of their people far into ancient times, and even what came before that. Not everyone in the lineage had clear memory, however. The ability to remember in part determined who was selected as ruler. Not just remembering, but also communicating with ancestors and gods. All her training had brought her to this point. Now she must speak.
    Yohl Ik’nal drew in a deep breath. She hesitated a moment, tempted to glance at the High Priestess, her mentor. Would she be worthy of her training? Would the sacred blood run true and fire her memory? Uncertainty rippled through her heart and her eyelids flickered, but she kept her gaze directed toward the square. She sensed her father’s strong presence and felt his encouragement.
    Fastened to this moment in time, arms too heavy, her tongue felt huge, choking her, adhered to the roof of her mouth. Could she utter even one word? Much less recite a complex poem . .
    Quickly, before panic closed her throat, she breathed out, lowered her arms and began to speak.
    In a clear, pure voice that surprised her and carried across the